Ready To Be Tortured

There are many opinions about what is in store for humanity in the next segment of history. Only a person in deep denial could anticipate good. Best case scenario: economic Depression or worst case scenario: torture and persecution of Christians. Are we strong enough for either of these?

melissa, I'm ready to go home and be with the Lord, however, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, will abide under the shadow of the Almighty." He is my refuge and my fortress, my GOD in HIM will I trust. David said he's never seen the righteous forsaken nor begging bread. I think your question should be: Are we rooted and grounded enough in Christ Jesus to withstand the attacks of the enemy?

Don't get me wrong. I agree we need to feed, cloth and house the homeless. I was just "enlightening" y'all to what happens when gambling is allowed in a place. Think about it when you are voting when they try to get legalized gambling where you live.

#3--Our mandate from the lord is to preach the Gospel, feed the hungry etc. He has said "what you do to the least of these, you have done to Me".These are among the "least" since we can think of many that seem, to us, more "deserving". But we must attempt to share the Gospel with them all and offer them prayer. This is sowing the seed. The results are up to God. If they turn away from Him, at least let it not be because they were never told.

#2 We must be wise as serpents but harmless as doves. Don't give cash..give goods, coupons for food or a referral to a Christian food or clothing bank.Don't pay for bus tickets, unless you take them and put them on a bus, same with medical services. Make referrals to Christian rehab programs or other Christian social services. And help in any of these agencies as you can. Give Christian literature, but pray that they read before using as cigarette papers.

#1 Susie and Melissa--Yes, there are a great many whose chief occupation is "using" others in addition to working the street and social services, they know that many Christians are sympathetic and naive. These "homeless" sociopaths tell such sad, but fabricated, tales.. often going from church to church, collecting cash to feed various habits.We need not become discouraged, though.

I personally find it hard to believe that when Christians don't have what it takes to love God in the bad times and when abased or poor as Paul said they will be able to endure torture. Also, if a person is willing to sell out their faith for money, fame or or their own desires it's doubtful.

Jack ... those who could feed themselves etc should be encouraged to do so.But otherwise the needy should be helped, although there seems to be much "Christian" sentiment here that because there is some abuse, all help should be withdrawn.Did I say "Christian"?

The issue is the fact that all of this help for those who need it is about to stop. Our government is already reducing greatly those benefits created by FDR. When the "gravy train" stops for good, America will have a problem because these people don't know how to make it without help.

There are people everywhere who know how to "work the system." Where I live, there are dozens of young single moms who get food stamps, live in decent apartments with little or no rent, get free educations if they want, clothing vouchers for kids' school clothes etc. and 9 times out of 10 there is a boyfriend living with them with additional income that they don't report. They "have it made" because the "system" encourages it. If they get married, they lose everything!

Yea, but Susie, what about the thousands of homeless people who truly are homeless. There will always be the cheaters in every group of people, don't them them spoil it for the people who are truly in need.

There are literally hundreds of small ministries who are doing what they think is the Lord's work in Las Vegas. But, they are enabling people. I have seen homeless people use the pages of Bibles they were given to roll cigarettes. I have seen people go down the street to the local bar to sell the commodity cheese they just got to buy alcohol. This is not just Vegas. This is everywhere there are people who do not want to take care of themselves.

We have personally met hundreds of homeless people in Las Vegas who do not want help as they do not want to be accountable to anyone. We have also met many who live on social security who stay in homeless shelters. On their payday they go get a room in one of the skid-row hotels, clean up and go sit at a slot machine until their money is all gone. When the rent is up on the room, they go back to the shelter.

As a former resident of Las Vegas, let me explain what really happens with the homeless. There are several homeless shelters and help available. But, many choice to stay on the streets and live out in the desert. There are many places to get a meal and those who are long-time homeless know where they are. They go to all of them to eat.

Since the beginning, the Church has been persecuted. We have in America a different concept,maybe a different gospel. The persecution of the Church, is not God's Wrath. We shouldn't confuse the two. True Christians in America do suffer persecution, but in a different way than physical torture.The answer may be, "why do so many leave the church today"? I think our's is more emotional abuse,but it could get worse as time goes on.

The other part of my original question dealt with a possible economic Depression in America in the near future, which is totally possible given the fact that gas for a family's vehicles could cost a large percentage of the monthly income. America is too spoiled to fathom adjustments such as walking to work, growing food, spending only for needs not wants etc. It could get worse than that! I don't think we have that pioneer spirit in us anymore.

If anyone is familiar with a group called "Voice of the Martyrs," then you have read about the horrible conditions some Christians in other countries are dealing with. Those folks continue to worship and preach and teach even after being tortured, maimed, jailed, witnessing others murdered. They are truly an inspiration. I hope I could be half as brave in those circumstances!

I don't believe Christians in America are ready for anything. In many countries Christians today live in true economic privation, not "depression". They ARE being tortured and persecuted and martyred for the cause of Christ.May God forgive us our petty complaints and make us HALF as strong as they, if we face what they do.

Jack,Do you know if they enforce the law about not feeding homeless? In a few states they have a law that makes fornication a misdemeanor, but I know a bunch of fornicators but don't know that any have been charged!